https://jslhr.pubs.asha.org/article.aspx?articleid=1765455Training Effects on Speech Production Using a Hands-Free Electromyographically Controlled ElectrolarynxPurpose The electrolarynx (EL) is a widely used device for alaryngeal speech, but it requires manual operation and produces voice that typically has a constant fundamental frequency. An electromyographically controlled EL (EMG-EL) was designed and implemented to provide hands-free control with dynamic pitch modulation. Method Three participants who ...2007-04-01T00:00:00Research ArticleEhab A. Goldstein

Research Article | April 01, 2007

Training Effects on Speech Production Using a Hands-Free Electromyographically Controlled Electrolarynx

PurposeThe electrolarynx (EL) is a widely used device for alaryngeal speech, but it requires manual operation and produces voice that typically has a constant fundamental frequency. An electromyographically controlled EL (EMG-EL) was designed and implemented to provide hands-free control with dynamic pitch modulation.

MethodThree participants who underwent total laryngectomy surgery and 4 participants with normal voice were trained to produce EMG-EL speech through a multiple-baseline, successive-stage protocol. Baseline performance was established through 3 testing probes, followed by multiple hour-long training sessions.

ResultsAt the end of the training, all participants learned to initiate, sustain, and terminate EMG-EL activation in correspondence with articulation, and most were able to modulate the pitch to produce intonational contrasts. After completing the testing/training protocol, 1 of the 3 participants who underwent total laryngectomy was encouraged to independently use the EMG-EL at his residence. This participant sustained his performance for an additional 6 weeks and also used the EMG-EL successfully to communicate over the phone.

ConclusionsOur findings suggest that some participants with laryngectomies and vocally normal individuals can learn to produce hands-free speech using the EMG-EL device within a few hours and that significant additional gains in device control (particularly pitch modulation) are attainable through subsequent training sessions.

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Grant R01-DC006449 and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Research and Development Grant V523P-6820, both awarded to Robert E. Hillman. We thank Kevin Kearns for his advice on single-participant experimental design.

Subscribe to view more

For full access to this article, log in to an existing user account, purchase an annual subscription, or purchase a short-term subscription.